E-Paper billionbeats 10
Answers to the Questions
Is sovereignty costs much?
There are no boundary conditions. It is dependent upon our financial capacity. Once we are through with the
Indo-US nuclear deal, we can purchase the uranium and also can mine it in other countries to meet our current and future
requirements adequately. Certainly we can meet our target of 50,000 MWe from nuclear energy.
The cost of producing one MW of nuclear energy is around $1700,000 per MW (Rs. 7.14 crore). The Cost Per
unit of electricity produced from nuclear energy is $60 per MW hours. For the imported reactors it will cost around $60 to
$70 per MW hours. Today we are constructing 700 MW of PHWR at a cost of $1700 per KW in India. That means per MW
Improving the cost is Rs. 7.14 crore. Globally it will cost around $2000 - $2500 per KW nuclear energy (ie., Rs.10.5 crore).
Carbon Conver- In terms of the capital cost, nuclear power plant is 20 to 25% higher than thermal power plant. But in terms of
unit cost, it is comparable or may be better. This price we have to pay for having the clean energy. Also with the large size
sion efficiency in
of reactors beyond 1000 MW, price will further come down.
COAL in India
Is our nuclear technology advanced and safe?
India has developed advanced nuclear technologies. The samples are in recycling and minimizing the Waste
leading to lesser waste production; Long lived actinides can be recovered and recycled, reducing toxicity of waste and
permitting near surface disposal; Valuable fission products can also be recovered and used: waste to wealth; further
reduction in radio toxicity an overall reduction by a factor of > 100 is possible.
Fast breeder reactors with closed fuel cycle are a sustainable resource of nuclear energy. They permit effective
and almost complete utilization of the uranium resources and are thus vital for India. They produce much less quantities
(per unit energy produced) of the high level nuclear waste, and, with the aid of specialized separation processes, can
reduce the time period for which the waste has to be stored in order that the radioactivity levels reach that of natural
uranium. Fast breeder reactors are best suited for the conversion of thorium to produce large quantities of U-233, which
would be a fuel for the future reactors. They also enable burning of the long lived actinide isotopes which are produced in
nuclear reactors. Thus, fast reactors are an essential ingredient of a large nuclear power programme for our country.
Based on my visit to DAE Establishments, I can see the following innovative actions by our nuclear scientists and tech-
nologists for developing unique fuel, fuel processing and fuel recovery system.
1. The Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR) at Kalpakkam uses a unique plutonium rich mixed carbide as the driver
Efficient Hydrogen Fuel
Development in India fuel containing 70% plutonium and 30% uranium. The specification of the unique fuel has been designed after
carrying out series of experiments on the properties of the fuel, out of pile studies on its thermal behavior and
modeling the performance.
2. Increasing the burn up capability progressively from 50,000 MW day per tone to 1,55,000 MW day per tone
without any integrity breach of the pins.
3. Development of special equipment and technology for dismantling of sub-assemblies containing the fuel pins
and the chopping of the fuel pins in an inert atmosphere.
4. Establishing the re-processing technology of dissolving the fuel in nitric acid and separating the uranium and
plutonium from the highly radioactive fission products.
5. Development of special centrifugal extractors for separation of fuel for avoiding third face formation due to high
plutonium concentration fuel and mitigating the problem of high radio activity due to high burn up of fuel.
The high burn-up reached and the reprocessing the high burn-up carbide fuel after short cooling constitute
important landmarks achieved by Indian scientists and technologists for the first time in the world. I congratulate our
nuclear scientists and technologists for building this unique capacity for launching the large fast reactor programme with
closed fuel cycle.
Nuclear science has total technology solution. Nuclear science can give clean energy and clean environment,
nuclear science can provide irradiated seeds to enhance food production of certain crops and nuclear science can give
solution to healthcare problems such as treatment of cancer using radio isotopes. Ultimately all of us have to work for
achieving clean green earth. Certainly India has the core competence in Nuclear Research and Development and we are
in much advanced stage compared to any other nation.
November 7, 2008
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Is nuclear deal essential? Does it not affect sovereignty of India?
There are two options, going for nuclear deal or not going for nuclear deal. If we are not going for nuclear deal, we
may not be able to augment power through nuclear resources at a rate needed by the country. Whereas with the deal, the
rate of implementation may go faster and also it will enrich the various approaches to nuclear power generation. We may
need nuclear raw material for short time, but the world needs India for long time in the nuclear energy sector. That is the
power of nuclear technology strength of our country. India has a policy No first use. We also adopt the policy that total
nuclear disarmament in the world. Together we win. Alone we have many things to lose.
IAEA Safeguards Agreement
When it comes to IAEA Safeguards agreement, 3 situations will emerge. The situations are as follows:
1. Indigenous reactor and the related facilities using our own nuclear fuel that IAEA has nothing to do with.
2. Indigenous reactor with imported uranium fuel will come under IAEA surveillance.
3. New reactor under deal with new uranium fuel will also be under IAEA surveillance.
As per the IAEA safeguards agreements general principles stipulates that Bearing in mind Article II of the Stat- I found that
ute, the Agency shall implement safeguards in a manner designed to avoid hampering India's economic or technological whereas sanctions
development, and not to hinder or otherwise interfere with any activities involving the use by India of nuclear material, non slowed progress in
-nuclear material, equipment, components, information or technology produced, acquired or developed by India independ- nuclear energy,
ent of this Agreement for its own purposes. This clearly brings out the fact that Indias own development is not affected in
they made india
anyway.
We have a clear separation plan; only those reactors which are identified with the fuel from NSG countries will go
self-sufficient and
under safeguard. Once we start using the imported fuel, that reactor will be under IAEA safeguard. We have to empty the world leaders in
fuel when there is a disruption. If there is no disruption, the fuel supply is going to continue. As long as we use the im- fast reactor
ported uranium, the safeguards will prevail. That is good. Use the imported uranium in all the civil nuclear energy reactors technologies.
and keep our indigenous resources in reserve. It is as simple as that..
While much of the
What will be the long term effect and when will we be totally self-reliant? Yes, India is technologically self-reliant
worlds approach
but we are only dependent initially for uranium material not for long term. If we get 40,000 MW reactors over a period of
2020, then it will bridge the gap by 2050. After that no more import is required, because we will be fully functional with
to India has been
thorium based reactors by the time, everyone should understand this fact. Today India needs NSG in the short run, but to limit its access
tomorrow the world needs India in the long run in the nuclear energy sector. to nuclear
With respect to National Security, there is a provision that the agreement is about civil-nuclear cooperation and technology, it may
doesnt impinge on the strategic programmes. There are certain multilayer provision for cessation and termination. There
well be that today
is no mention about test. If a country wants to seek cessation and termination there is a provision for detailed consulta-
we limit ourselves
tion. The termination cannot be abrupt; it has to go through the consultation process. Uranium for stock pile for life time
use from multiple countries is possible. There is no ban on doing test, at the same time if India decides to do the test,
by not having
there will be retaliation. But whatever uranium has come we will carry on till it exhausted under the safeguards agreement. access to Indias
We should be wiser in utilizing the imported nuclear material for the generation of civil nuclear energy rather than exhaust- nuclear technology
ing our own resources. Higher the number of Fast breeder reactor (2025 onwards) need for uranium will progressively developments.
come down and will be fully dependent on thorium.
Such technical
Ultimately, access to global energy sources would become increasingly difficult and expensive as time pro-
gresses. Early availability of domestic/imported uranium (imported reactors) is important for reducing dependence on
views should help
import of energy resources in the future. We need to sustain the tempo of domestic R&D, focusing on issues and deliver-
to advice the
ables of a high priority for us. To address the range of the technological and scientific challenges, a holistic approach in the diplomatic efforts
development of required human resource as well as in the management of science and technology is essential. with india.
Nuclear deal is a part of wider agreement against India
Indo-US Nuclear deal doesnt have any binding effect on the socio, economic and political decision of our
Seigfried S.
nation with USA. We have our own independent foreign policy. The government of a particular time certainly has the option
Hecker, Former
to protect the sovereign interests of the nation. Certainly this nuclear deal agreement protects Indias interest in the nu- Director of LANL
clear power sector. Separation plan for civil and defence nuclear facility clearly gives the independence in maintaining the Testimony at US
strategic decisions. Nobody can interfere in our foreign policy; we can maintain our strategic autonomy in social, economic Senate committee
and political spheres.
on appropriations,
Any country will have a bilateral agreement on various aspects. Suppose if it is a part of wider agreement, let it Subcommittee on
be. Every aspect of the agreement will have a scrutiny and it is the responsibility of the present government to protect the energy and water
interest of the nation in all its spheres. No one can force India to adopt a stand in favour of any other countrys foreign development, April
policy. 30, 2008.
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Nuclear deal is a nuclear deal only. All the other deals have its own policies and it will be governed by the bilateral
agreement between the two nations. It is not going to affect the nuclear deal. Any other bilateral issues are handled by the
Chronology of the
policies of the government ruling at that time and government is responsible for the parliament. Our nation is a democratic
Indo-US Nuclear Deal
nation; we have the checks and balances in any treaties and agreements.
When there was question on Defence Framework Agreement, it is the framework for the US-India Defence Rela-
Sept 18, 2008: The Senate
tionship, it 'will support, and will be an element of, the broader US-India strategic partnership.' It related to arms sales,
Foreign Relations
transfer of technology and co-production that both countries may undertake at some point of time.
Committee kicks off a
crucial hearing on the Indo
Besides expanding collaboration in missile defence and a host of other cooperative ventures between the de-
-US nuclear deal.
fence establishments of both countries, including strengthening the capabilities of both militaries to promote security and
defeat terrorism and enhancing the capabilities to combat the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, the agree-
Sept 19, 2008: America's
ment says that two-way defence trade would also be an integral component. Hence, each agreement has its own frame-
nuclear fuel supply
work. We shouldnt couple everything together and create a hypothetical connectivity.
assurances to India are a
In view of the facts
"political commitment"
and the government cannot
1. that the agreement is negotiated with all possible diverse inputs from national point of view and
"legally compel" US firms
2. that our strategic interests are in no way affected and
to sell a "given product" to
3. that India will not be in isolation in this area and
New Delhi, top officials
4. that the agreement will enable to meet its energy independence faster
tells Congressional panel.
It is in our interest to operationalize this agreement consistent with our status as a leading country not only in
Sept 21, 2008: US
nuclear technology but as a forerunner towards achieving energy independence across the world.
financial crisis diverts
attention from N-deal as
both the Bush
Administration and the
Congress are bogged down
over efforts to rescue
bankrupt American banks.
financial crisis in the
country.
Sept 26, 2008: PM Singh
meets President Bush at
the White House, but were
not able to sign the nuclear
deal as the Congress did
not approve it.
Sept 27, 2008: House of
Representatives approves
the Indo-US nuclear deal.
298 members voted for the
Bill while 117 voted
against.
Oct 1, 2008: Senate
approves the Indo-US civil
nuclear deal with 86 votes
for and 13 against.
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Chronology of the
Indo-US Nuclear Deal
Oct 4, 2008: Secretary of
State Rice visits Delhi.
India and the US unable to
ink the nuclear agreement
with New Delhi insisting
that it would do so only
after President Bush signs
it into a law, an occasion
when it expects certain
misgivings to be cleared.
Oct 4, 2008: White House
announces that President
Bush will sign the
legislation on the Indo-US
nuclear deal into a law on
October 8.
Oct 8, 2008: President
Bush signs legislation to
enact the landmark US-
India civilian nuclear
agreement.
Oct 10, 2008: The 123
Agreement between India
and US is finally
operationalized between
the two countries after the
deal is signed by External
Affairs Minister Pranab
Mukherjee and his
counterpart Secretary of
State Condoleezza Rice in
Washington D C.
14
STRENGTH RESPECTS STRENGTH
APJ ABDUL KALAM
Billion Beats
No: 10, Rajaji Marg India should respect the strength of India
New Delhi - 110016
Phone: 011-23015522 India is a Nuclear Weapon State. The Nation should behave like a Nuclear
Fax: 011-23793601
For publishing send E-mail with Weapon state. We do not have to prove to any country that we are again and again a
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billionbeats@abdulkalam.com nuclear weapon state by doing more nuclear tests, whether they agree or not, whether
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they recognize or not. If they are not recognizing it, it is not our fault; it is not that we are
THE PULSE OF INDIA going to lose anything. We have the full capability to deter any nuclear threat by any na-
tion in all means. First of all we have to come out from the mindset that still we believe, to
www.abdulkalam.com explore the genius in Ramanujam, Hardy has to come. Yes, we should believe in our own
strength. Strength respects strength. That is what happening in the process of Indo-US
Chief Editor:
apj@abdulkalam.com nuclear agreement.
Editorial board: But we are the nation who declared there is no first use, we are the nation built
editor@abdulkalam.com
with civilizational heritage and values, we are the nation who upholds the promise, we are
ysrajan@abdulkalam.com
rswaminathan@abdulkalam.com the nation who never invaded anybody, and we are the nation who believes in its own
dnmoorthy@abdulkalam.com
inherent strength. Hence let us believe on our strength in economy and security, more
billionbeats@abdulkalam.com
vponraj@abdulkalam.com than that the spirit of the Indian democracy which is highly dynamic, vibrant and role
model to the entire world. We should rise to the occasion and prove to the world that In-
Friday, November 07, 2008 dia is wiser in its attempt to play a responsible nation among the world in achieving en-
ergy independence vision before the year 2030.
Small Aim is a crime
In order to achieve the vision, I have addressed to the nation on the eve of Eve
APJ Abdul Kalam
of 59th Independence Day on 14 Aug 2005 about the need to go for Energy Independ-
ence. Also I have renewed my appeal to the member of the parliament during my address
To publish into billion beats:
to the parliament farewell function hosted by the speaker of Lok Sabha in the central hall
Send your articles, success stories,
innovations, cartoons, poetry into of parliament house on 3-07-2007. Where I have made an appeal to the parliament
billionbeats@abdulkalam.com members that
Along with photographs and evidence
documents if any
My interaction with many of you and my understanding of the various central
and state programmes, the initiatives of private and non-governmental organizations as
well as the overwhelming desire of citizens to participate in the national development
gives me the confidence that our society is ready to work for these missions. May I sug-
gest that you all work together to evolve two major initiatives:
1. To formulate an Energy Independence Bill - A three dimensional approach for en-
ergy choice towards realizing clean planet earth.
2. To adopt a Resolution for Vision 2020:
2020 Adopt a Resolution that India will be trans-
formed into a safe, prosperous, happy and socio-economically developed nation
before the year 2020 using National Prosperity Index (NPI) as a measure.
You will agree with me the importance of making these bills a reality in a time bound man-
ner.
I am still confident that one day the nation will wake up to this call, that day is
not too far. It should be remembered that Nation is bigger than any individual, organiza-
tion and all political parties. Yes, today India needs imported uranium but
world needs Indian nuclear technology tomorrow.
